Man pleads guilty to criminally negligent homicide in I‑40 crash that killed Latana Kaiser; judge places him on probation

A man charged in a 2023 interstate crash that killed a passenger pleaded guilty in Chetm County court and was placed on probation after family members addressed the court.

Wyatt Emmery Lester told the court he understood the rights he waived by pleading guilty. Under a negotiated disposition, Lester entered guilty pleas to criminally negligent homicide for the death of Latana Kaiser and to aggravated assault for injuries to another occupant. Because Lester had no prior record, the parties and the court discussed judicial diversion (referenced in the hearing transcript as a provision of Tennessee law) and the judge accepted a two‑year probation disposition under that statute; the judge explained the defendant could later seek expungement if he completes probation conditions.

Multiple family members delivered impact statements at the hearing. Nadia Ross, identified herself as the daughter of the victim, told the court the family continues to mourn and described the loss and its effects on grandchildren. A family member who was a passenger also described injuries and the long emotional impact. The victim’s husband delivered a statement about grief and the irreparable loss of his wife’s presence in the family.

The judge accepted the pleas and placed Lester on two years of probation with a condition that he not operate a commercial vehicle. Counts not part of the agreement were dismissed. The judge made clear the plea reflected an agreement reached among defense and the state and reminded Lester that the diversion‑style disposition could be revoked if he violates probation in the future.

Next steps: The defendant must meet probation requirements and the court directed him to see probation services; victim‑impact statements were made part of the record.